Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Help with a Rockford, Plymouth, Prince of Wales Pocket Watch.

In Pocket Watches > Show & Tell.
Pocket Watches1043 of 1695Silver enamelled stop watchEuropean Excelsa pocket watch
7
Love it
0
Like it

toolate2toolate2 loves this.
geo26egeo26e loves this.
pw-collectorpw-collector loves this.
blunderbuss2blunderbuss2 loves this.
musikchoomusikchoo loves this.
pops52pops52 loves this.
officialfuelofficialfuel loves this.
See 5 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 11 years ago

    metbid
    (1 item)

    Hello, I got this pocket watch recently when my father passed away. He got it from his father. From what research I have been able to do, I believe it is a Rockford Plymouth label 'Prince of Wales' size 16, 21 jewels. The back of the case has the personalized letter H on it which is my Grandfather's last name initial.

    From D.G.Artzner's book "Review of Rockford Watch Co....." it appears to be what he has labeled the 'Model 5 Special. The serial number on the movement is 663351.

    The inside of the back case says 'Plymouth Perfect Warranted' with the serial number 1432254.

    The watch is not running at this time. I tried winding it just a little and pulled the stem up and moved the hands to verify it was in working order. I did not wind it more than a couple of short winds, worrying that I might be overwinding it.

    I tried to determine the date of origin, but was confused by some of the articles I read having conflicting views, but my best guess from what I read is around 1909. If anyone could help me with the dating of the watch I would appreciate it. I would actually appreciate any input about it that is given. Such as: is it a gold filled case, is there a way to determine what the case is made of, etc.
    Thank you.

    Mystery Solved
    logo
    Pocket Watches
    See all
    Vintage pocket Watch MOLNIJA 3602 1960s SOVIET USSR | 1 watch
    Vintage pocket Watch MOLNIJA 3602 1...
    $49
    Mens Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watch with Chain Brass Open Face Case Fob Watches
    Mens Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watc...
    $26
    Antique Waltham Garnet 14K Gold 1890 Floral Filigree Hunter Pocket Watch NR
    Antique Waltham Garnet 14K Gold 189...
    $370
    Vintage Pocket Watch Erotic Watch LOVE PAIR Mechanical MOLNIJA 3602 JL Hand Painted
    Vintage Pocket Watch Erotic Watch L...
    $84
    logo
    Vintage pocket Watch MOLNIJA 3602 1960s SOVIET USSR | 1 watch
    Vintage pocket Watch MOLNIJA 3602 1...
    $49
    See all

    Comments

    1. pw-collector pw-collector, 11 years ago
      metbid,
      Your serial number entered in this Rockford database does not match your watch.
      http://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/rockford/663351
      Also does not match Elgin, Hamilton, Illinois, South Bend or Waltham.
      Still searching.
      Dave
    2. pw-collector pw-collector, 11 years ago
      metbid,
      It resembles the Rockford Grade 115 shown in this thread:
      http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?46029-Rockford-Grade-115-La-Suiza-Rachid-A-Shoucair&highlight=Plymouth
      Dave
    3. metbid, 11 years ago
      Thank you for the replies. The movement definitely is not the Grade 115 on the above nawcc thread. The nawcc-ch149.com Article has an exact match on page 14 under the heading 'Model 5 Special', with a serial number quite close to mine and 'Grade 101s' in the description.

      I had found & tried the SN data base you mentioned and got the same results that do not seem to apply to my watch, hence some of my confusion on dating it.

      I am a total newbie at this, what does 'GRADE' mean and how is it determined?
    4. metbid, 11 years ago
      I found the link to the Rockford Private Label Full List of serial numbers on the NAWCC 149 web site, and my SN falls between several watches manufactured in 1905.

      Can anyone tell me if the data base can be added to, if a watch can be verified?
    5. hammerini, 11 years ago
      Metbid, I recently saw the sale of a known Prince of Wales at auction. The serial number is not far from yours at 662493, and the pictured movement is identical to yours. Here are the official details you want to know:
      Grade: 100 S
      Prince of Wales
      Estimated Production Year: 1905
      Run Quantity: 600
      Size: 16s
      Jewels: 21j
      Movement Configuration: Hunting
      Movement Finish: Nickel
      Model: ?
      Movement Setting: Pendant
      Plate: 3/4 Plate
      Adjusted: Unknown
      Adjusted to Positions: Unknown
      Railroad Grade: Unknown
      Notes: Prince of Wales
      The case on the one that just sold, by the way, is also marked Plymouth Perfect Warranted.
      It's a hard-to-find, two-star watch. I hope that helps.

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.